I new to this board and you might of already coverd this.On the photo section of this board there is a thread that asks members to send pics of of what you look like. One gentleman has his pic standing in front of a laod center which has surface (exposed) mounted romex neatly stapled to the backboard entering the side of the load center, each one in its own connector. Is that leagal where he is from? Does he live in another country?I'm just curious.Rob

I believe you referring to Ed MacLaren and he is from Canada. I would have to say yes it's legal to run the NM like that. This might be debatable, but I feel that 336-6(a) of the 99NEC allows it, as it closely follows the surface of the structure. Some might argue that it's still subject to physical damage.

How else would you bring RX out of a panel in a residence?I suppose if you are in one of the "pipeland" areas the whole Romex thing is foreign but stapling it up a running board is the usual way if it is not exposed to physical damage.

I'm also from Canada and I will tell you Ed's installation is 100% legal. The code allows loomex to be run on the surface if it is 5 feet or higher and not subject to mechanical damage. The cable is not subject to mechanical damage stapled to a backboard then run into a panel, how would this cable ever be damaged? To answer your question Derater, the Canadian Electrical Code requires a steel barrier to separate the service conductors from the branch circuit area, the panel is a square D.